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Freelance Java Developer Startup Jobs in Chicago, IL

Iterable

Software Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

... Best Startup Employers in 2022. Notably, Iterable has also been listed on Wealthfront's Career ... Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (ideally Scala and/or Java) * Experience ...

Grindr

Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Chicago, IL · On-site

$152K - $203K/yr

Experience with the JVM and at least one JVM language such as Java, Kotlin, and Scala. Experience ... We're embedding AI into our product and operations, moving with startup speed while operating at ...

Convr

Forward Deployed Engineer

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Forward Deployed Software Engineer About Convr: Convr is an AI underwriting, data, and intelligent ... startup environments. * Strong coder with shown proficiency in TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, Java ...

Grindr

Staff Full Stack Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$152K - $203K/yr

Strong back-end experience in at least one modern language (Java, Kotlin, Node.js, Python, or Go ... We're embedding AI into our product and operations, moving with startup speed while operating at ...

Metropolis

Senior Data Analyst

Chicago, IL

$103K - $139K/yr

Collaborate with engineering teams to define service level agreements (SLAs) for data products ... Java, JavaEE, SpringBoot, JavaScript, JQuery * Datastores: MySQL * Cloud: AWS * Version Control:

Metropolis

Senior Data Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

$103K - $139K/yr

Collaborate with engineering teams to define service level agreements (SLAs) for data products ... Java, JavaEE, SpringBoot, JavaScript, JQuery * Datastores: MySQL * Cloud: AWS * Version Control:

Metropolis

Senior Data Analyst

Chicago, IL

$103K - $139K/yr

Collaborate with engineering teams to define service level agreements (SLAs) for data products ... Java, JavaEE, SpringBoot, JavaScript, JQuery * Datastores: MySQL * Cloud: AWS * Version Control:

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How much do freelance java developer startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance java developer startup in Chicago, IL is $58.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50.53 and $65.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Java Developer Startup vs Freelance Java Developer Corporate?

AspectFreelance Java Developer StartupFreelance Java Developer Corporate
Work EnvironmentIndependent, flexible, project-basedRemote or office-based, structured projects
Client InteractionDirect with startups or small teamsOften with corporate clients or departments
Project ScopeVaried, often innovative or MVP developmentLong-term, maintenance, or enterprise solutions
Required CredentialsJava certification, portfolio, experienceJava certification, experience, possibly more formal credentials

Freelance Java Developer Startup roles typically involve working independently on diverse projects for startups, emphasizing innovation and flexibility. In contrast, Freelance Java Developer Corporate roles often focus on structured, long-term projects for established companies, with more formal client interactions and expectations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL? For Freelance Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Java Developer Startup jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Freelance Java Developer Startup jobs near you

Senior/Lead Software Engineer

DeepWalk Research, Inc

Chicago, IL • On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

About DeepWalk
DeepWalk is a fast-growing venture that helps cities keep people safe using computer vision to map and monitor their sidewalks. We have ongoing contracts with cities, universities, and engineering firms.
In the past year, we've processed thousands of miles of sidewalk across 20+ states, generating millions of labeled data points used in real-world infrastructure decisions. We've raised $4.1M, recently closed a $2.1M seed round led by Enable Ventures, and we currently generate 7-figure revenue helping communities across America.
Lead Software Engineer
$150,000 - $190,000 base salary + equity • Hybrid (Chicago)
We're hiring a Lead Software Engineer to set the technical direction of DeepWalk's platform for automated sidewalk inspection. This role is focused on tackling high-impact, open-ended problems around large-scale imagery, production ML systems, and data pipelines that handle hundreds of terabytes of data.
You'll play a key role in how we process, analyze, and deliver insights from millions of images, supporting cities as they work to build safer, more accessible infrastructure.
In this role, you'll work closely with a handful of experienced engineers, help set technical direction, and establish patterns the team can scale with.
Our core stack today includes Python-based CV/ML systems running on AWS, with data pipelines and services designed to handle large volumes of imagery and geospatial data. We also develop and support customer facing web and mobile applications for our users to scan and view their data.
What You'll Do
As a Lead Engineer at DeepWalk, you'll have significant ownership over the systems we build and how we build them. You will...
  • Set the technical direction for scaling out our platform
  • Design and improve data pipelines that process thousands of miles of sidewalks and millions of images
  • Lead architectural decisions for handling hundreds of terabytes of geospatial data and visual data
  • Set and evolve best practices around deployment, observability, system reliability, and scalability
  • Act as a senior individual contributor and mentor, helping raise the technical bar across the engineering team
  • Work closely with the CEO and operations team to turn business needs into clear technical priorities

What Success Looks Like (First 3-6 Months)
  • Build a strong understanding of our current systems, processes, applications, and data pipelines
  • Identify the biggest scaling, reliability, and maintainability gaps as we grow
  • Increase the delivery speed of processed data
  • Become a trusted technical partner to leadership

What We're Looking For
Required
  • 5+ years of experience, ideally with strong experience at a growth stage startup
  • Demonstrated ability to translate ambiguous business requirements into long term technical goals
  • Experience owning system architecture and influencing technical decisions across teams
  • Fluency in at least one modern backend language (Python, Java, TypeScript, Go, etc.)
  • Strong understanding of system design, scalability, and distributed systems
  • Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure

Nice to Have
  • Computer vision/machine learning model development
  • Experience with large-scale or real-time data pipelines
  • Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, CDK, etc.)
  • ML observability, data validation, or model deployment experience
  • Familiarity with geospatial, imagery, or sensor-driven data
  • A genuine interest in urban planning, accessibility, or civic technology

Compensation & Benefits
  • $150,000 - $190,000 base salary, based on scope and experience
  • Equity
  • Unlimited PTO (most of our team takes 3-4 weeks per year)
  • Health insurance
  • 401(k) with ~4% match (100% on first 3%, 50% on the next 2%)
  • Convenient office location in The Loop
  • Hybrid work environment (typically 2 days in-office)


DeepWalk participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.
DeepWalk is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
In accordance with applicable laws, DeepWalk provides equal pay for equal work and complies with all federal, state, and local pay transparency and compensation requirements.

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